This is a big, hearty pasta dish. You could incorporate any veggies you like, use any pasta you like, with any sauce you like. This is the version I like :)
I like to make this sauce ahead of time to use with my pasta and pizza dishes. You could freeze it if you aren't going to use it right away, or keep it in the fridge for a few days until ready to use.
Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Brown the ground beef over medium high heat. Drain, if necessary, return to skillet and add the sauce. Let it simmer over medium low heat.
Meanwhile, saute the zucchini and mushrooms until zucchini is slightly tender. (You can also add a small chopped onion to this, but my sauce has enough, so I chose not to add more.)
Add the zucchini, mushroom, and pasta to meat sauce and stir until fully incorporated. Make sure to season with salt and pepper if needed.
In a slightly greased baking dish, layer half of the pasta with 1 cup colby jack cheese. Then pour remaining pasta and top with 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
Bake uncovered for 20 mins or until cheese is melted.
YUM!
Mushroom Zucchini Rotini
Ingredients:
- 16 oz rotini pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 32 oz marinara sauce
- 2-3 medium zucchini, chopped
- 8 oz fresh mushrooms, chopped
- 1 cup shredded colby jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400*F. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until fully browned. Drain, if necessary, and return skillet.
3. Pour marinara sauce into the same skillet, with heat turned down to medium-low and let simmer.
4. Meanwhile, in separate skillet, saute zucchini and mushrooms over medium heat until zucchini is slightly tender.
5. Add zucchini/mushroom mix and cooked pasta to meat sauce and stir until fully incorporated.
6. In a lightly greased baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture with 1 cup colby jack cheese. Then top with remaining pasta and 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
7. Bake uncovered 20 mins, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Enjoy!
~Lovely Fluffy Mama
